Happy New Year Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 4m 42.12s

Silver Hill⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: Jamie Snowden| CD

9/4

Made a winning start in Market Rasen bumper in December but looked in need of the experience and made some mistakes on his hurdling bow when fifth of 8 at Fontwell. Sent off 4/9 and workmanlike when landing weak 5-runner C&D novice in November. Did at least display a good attitude.

Form: 14-51

In The Age⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton

6/4

£100,000 Irish point recruit who made winning start for new connections in Southwell bumper last winter. Off 8 months, held up in a race not run to suit such tactics when fifth on 2½m Aintree hurdles debut in October. Matched that form at Bangor since (23.2f) and he should be a factor back in trip.

Form: 1/13-53

Pioneer Pete²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 113

13/8

Placed both bumper starts and has maintained levels over hurdles, filling the frame all 3 starts at up to 16.5f. Up in trip here and he sets the standard.

Form: 23-224

Ratemenow³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett

50/1

Fourth on his debut in a maiden point in March and showed a bit of promise when third in Hexham bumper in November. Backward step at Carlisle since and now up in trip for hurdles debut.

Form: 4-35

Inlet⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby

125/1

Dam half-sister to fairly useful hurdler (stayed 23f) Galata Bridge (by Golden Horn). Modest maiden handicapper on Flat (stays 16.5f), well held last 2 starts. Sold from Rae Guest 6,000 gns in November.

Form:

Lady Lucky¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: J Bedi

200/1

£1,600 3-y-o, Black Sam Bellamy mare. Dam fairly useful bumper/21f hurdle winner who became unreliable. Showed nothing on last month's C&D debut.

Form: P

Forecasts

In The Age (6/4), Pioneer Pete (13/8), Silver Hill (9/4), Ratemenow (50/1), Inlet (125/1), Lady Lucky (200/1)

PIONEER PETE should be suited by this increased emphasis on stamina and with his yard going a bit better now, he looks the answer. Conversely, In The Age drops back in trip and he looks the danger with Silver Hill penalised for winning an ordinary race over C&D.